Healthcare industry groups uniformly blasted the Trump administration's so-called public charge rule, warning it would have broad negative effects on the healthcare system, government budgets and public health.

An Oregon proposal to expand alternative treatments for certain chronic pain conditions while limiting the use of opioids has moved forward with minimal changes, despite outcries from chronic pain patients and criticism from pain experts.

The American Medical Association will advocate on a range of major population health policies including gender identity, Canadian drug imports and sexual assault treatment, as agreed upon by delegates at the group's 2018 interim meeting.

The FDA on Nov. 2 approved a new super-potent opioid tablet for use in hospitals. While prescribing numbers for opioids have been declining for the past few years, prescription use of painkillers still present a major challenge for combating the overall opioid crisis.